Buying and Selling a Home in Kinnelon, NJ

Kinnelon at a glance

Kinnelon includes Smoke Rise, a private gated community established in 1946 with more than 900 homes on about 3,500 acres around Lake Kinnelon, and Fayson Lakes, a community founded in 1925 around three lakes in the borough's southeast corner. Kitty Ann Mountain is the borough's high point, and part of Pyramid Mountain Natural Historical Area and the roughly 1,000-acre Silas Condict County Park are here. Route 23 runs along the northern border and I-287 passes through. Kinnelon is in the Highlands region.

What the housing is like in Kinnelon

• Smoke Rise — larger homes in a private, gated lake community with its own association.
• Fayson Lakes — a lake community with its own association and rules.
• Single-family homes on wooded, often hilly lots elsewhere in the borough, many on wells and septic.

What buyers should check in Kinnelon

1. Community associations. Smoke Rise and Fayson Lakes each have their own dues, rules and approvals — get the documents early.
2. Steep lots and driveways. Check winter access and drainage.
3. Wells and septic. Plan for the required well test (Morris County includes uranium) and a septic inspection.
4. Highlands rules. Check the parcel's designation before planning additions.
5. Property taxes. Look at the actual tax bill for the house, not an average, and compare Kinnelon's rate using the state's municipal tax data.
6. Town certificates. New Jersey requires a smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm and fire extinguisher certificate at a change of occupancy; ask the town about any added resale inspections.

Selling a home in Kinnelon

Kinnelon buyers often compare it with Montville, Boonton Township and Butler. Community, lake access and privacy drive value; present association information and system records up front.

Want to know what homes like yours in Kinnelon have actually sold for? Get a free home valuation, or search homes for sale if you're buying.

A note on fair housing

I describe homes, land and places — not who lives where. For school information, I point you to official sources so you can decide for yourself.